Three of seven arrested over killing in Dublin released

Gardaí last night released three men they had been questioning in connection with the killing of a father of two before Christmas.

Two men and two women were still being questioned last night about the death of John Cunningham jnr (26), from Kiltilawn Way, Tallaght.

Mr Cunningham was attacked at the junction of New Nangor Road and Fonthill Road shortly after 8pm on November 4th last year.

Gardaí believe he was beaten with a snooker cue before being stabbed once in the upper body with a long-bladed knife.

Both weapons were recovered at the scene.

Mr Cunningham was taken to Tallaght hospital where surgery was performed. He remained critically ill throughout the weekend, however, and died on November 6th.

Early yesterday morning, gardaí arrested five men and two women, aged between 19 and 31, at homes in Clondalkin in west Dublin and in Celbridge, Co Kildare.

The three men who were released last night had been held separately - in Ballyfermot, Ronanstown and Lucan Garda stations, under section 4 of the Criminal Justice Act.

This section provides for a charge of assault causing serious harm. The two men and two women who were still being questioned last night were being detained at Clondalkin Garda station under section 30 of the Offences Against the State Act, which provides for a charge for withholding information.

They may be held for 48 hours.

Mr Cunningham was a member of the Travelling community and had been married for five years. He had two children, John (4) and Joe (1), while his widow, Mary Cunningham, is understood to pregnant with their third child.

His family rejected assertions after his death that he had been attacked because he had been involved in a burglary.